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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) following controversial remarks by senior BJP leader Ram Madhav on India’s oil imports and trade stance.

In a post on X, Gandhi dubbed the RSS as the “Rashtriya Surrender Sangh”, alleging that Madhav’s comments had exposed the organisation’s “true nature”. “Farzi nationalism in Nagpur. Pure servility in USA,” he wrote, adding that the remarks reflected a pattern the Opposition has long criticised.

Row Erupts Over Remarks at US Event

The controversy stems from comments made by Madhav during an interactive session at the Hudson Institute in Washington, where he spoke about India’s trade and geopolitical decisions. Referring to tariffs and oil imports, Madhav suggested that India had exercised restraint, stating, “We agreed to a 50 per cent tariff… we maintained our patience,” and added that India had also accepted higher tariffs in a new trade deal.

He further questioned what more India could do, asking, “Where is India lagging behind… what are those issues where India is not doing enough?”

The remarks triggered a political storm back home, with the Congress accusing the government of compromising national interests.

Congress Escalates Attack on Centre

Congress general secretary K C Venugopal seized on the comments, claiming they amounted to an “admission” that the government had aligned too closely with US interests. In a post on X, he alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “handed over India’s sovereignty” and echoed Rahul Gandhi’s criticism that India’s independent voice on the global stage had weakened.

Venugopal also said the Opposition had consistently raised concerns about the government’s foreign policy approach, adding that the latest remarks reinforced their position.

Ram Madhav Clarifies, Calls Statement ‘Factually Incorrect’

Amid mounting criticism, Madhav later issued a clarification and apology, saying his earlier statement was incorrect. “What I said was wrong. India didn’t agree to stop importing oil from Russia anytime,” he wrote on X.

He also clarified that India had “vigorously protested” the imposition of a 50 per cent tariff, explaining that his comments were intended as a limited counterpoint during the discussion but were “factually incorrect”.

Madhav, along with RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, is currently visiting the United States and attended the event in Washington where the remarks were made.